Dispensing device for fluid product

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispenser assembly comprising: 
         a dispenser ( 1 ) comprising a fluid reservoir defining a deformable actuator wall ( 13 ), a dispenser orifice through which the fluid is dispensed by pressing on the deformable actuator wall, and a removable closure member (16) which covers the dispenser orifice at least before it is first used; and    an outer wrapper ( 3 ) which surrounds the dispenser,    the dispenser being characterized in that it further comprises a substantially rigid reinforcing structure ( 2 ) provided with reception means ( 225 ) for receiving the dispenser ( 1 ), and defining application zones ( 211, 212, 213, 262 ) where the outer wrapper is in contact with the reinforcing structure in such a manner as to surround, at least in part, both the dispenser and the reinforcing structure.

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser assembly comprising:a dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir defining a deformable actuatorwall, a dispenser orifice through which the fluid is dispensed bypressing on the deformable actuator wall, and a removable closure memberwhich covers the dispenser orifice at least before it is first used; andan outer wrapper surrounding the dispenser. This type of dispenserassembly can find advantageous applications in the fields of perfumery,cosmetics, or even pharmacy.

Document FR 2 796 368 describes such a dispenser assembly comprising adispenser placed in an outer wrapper. In addition, the dispenser and theouter wrapper described in that prior-art document can be used perfectlywell in the present invention. Specifically, the fluid dispenser of thatdocument is made from a shell that is advantageously thermoformed, andthat is associated with a protective film. The shaped shell and theprotective film together define an inside volume, serving mainly as afluid reservoir. The reservoir can be filled completely with fluid, orcan be filled only in part, with the remainder being filled with a gas,e.g. air. The dispenser includes a dispenser orifice that is maskedbefore it is first used by a removable closure member which can befolded or torn along a predetermined rupture line. The dispenser orificecan be formed by the shell or by the protective film, but the dispenserorifice is preferably formed by a support part, generally made ofplastics material, that is interposed between the shell and theprotective film. The dispenser is thus in the form of a small platedefining a substantially flat and plane margin, inside which the shellforms a kind of dome enclosing the reservoir, the support part, and theend of the removable closure member. That is a particular type ofembodiment usable in the context of the present invention, but thatembodiment must not be considered as unique. In the present invention,it is possible to use any type of dispenser that defines at least areservoir that can be pressed so as to deform or displace an actuatorwall, thereby dispensing the fluid through a dispenser orifice that isadvantageously closed before it is first used by a removable closuremember.

With regard to the outer wrapper, it is constituted in document FR 2 796368 by a simple sheet of paper, cardboard, plastics, metal, or evenother suitable materials. The sheet is folded in half so as to form akind of case inside which the dispenser is placed. The outer wrappercomprises a bottom portion designed to be positioned in contact with theprotective film of the dispenser, a bulging front portion which extendsover the dome formed by the shaped shell, and a flap portion whichoverlaps the bottom portion in order to be bonded thereto, therebyclosing the case. The outer wrapper is therefore in the form of a casepresenting a flat bottom and a bulging top. The outer wrapper alsoincludes a tear-off or foldable portion which is demarcated from theremainder of the wrapper by a predetermined rupture line. The ruptureline is advantageously positioned in aligned or superposed mannerrelative to the rupture line of the dispenser. Thus, by tearing-off orby folding-back the removable portion of the outer wrapper, theremovable closure member of the dispenser is also removed, therebyunmasking the dispenser orifice. With regard to actuating the dispenserassembly, this is done very simply by exerting pressure on the bulgingportion of the outer wrapper where the actuator wall of the dispenser isformed. In other words, the dispenser is actuated by pressing on theouter wrapper.

A drawback with that prior-art dispenser assembly resides in the factthat both ends of the wrapper are left open, such that the dispenser canbe seen via both ends. This appearance is not very advantageous. Inaddition, the bulging front face of the outer wrapper has only a smallamount of support, such that it tends to deform at its ends.Furthermore, when the removable closure member is removed orfolded-back, the internal arrangement of the dispenser assembly becomesvisible, and this too is not very attractive. Finally, again as a resultof the lack of support for the bulging front portion of the outerwrapper, it is difficult for the user to hold the dispenser assembly,and the user immediately senses that the dispenser assembly is somewhatfragile.

An object of the present invention is to remedy those drawbacksassociated with the prior-art dispenser assembly. To do this, thepresent invention proposes that the dispenser assembly further comprisesa substantially rigid reinforcing structure provided with receptionmeans for receiving the dispenser, and defining application zones wherethe outer wrapper is in contact with the reinforcing structure in such amanner as to surround, at least in part, both the dispenser and thereinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure makes it possible notonly to improve the dispenser assembly and to impart strength thereto,but also makes it possible to protect the dispenser which is housedtherein. It is thus possible to prevent any risk of the dispenser, andmore particularly its reservoir, being damaged by flattening or denting.The reinforcing structure thus serves as a protective sheath for thedispenser, and as a stable and solid support element for the outerwrapper.

The reinforcing structure advantageously includes a slot, the actuatorwall of the dispenser being positioned at the slot, the outer wrappercovering the slot so that the actuator wall can be actuated through thewrapper. The slot is preferably bordered by first application zones forthe outer wrapper. In an embodiment, the reinforcing structure mayinclude a body defining a front face and a rear face, the front faceforming the slot and the first application zones, and the rear facebeing substantially open and provided with first reception means forreceiving the dispenser, such that the dispenser is engageable in thebody via its rear face, and is positioned in said body with its actuatorwall accessible through the slot of the body. The body advantageouslyincludes a trailing end plate.

In more detailed manner, the first application zones of the body maycomprise a bottom zone, a top zone, and two lateral zones connecting thebottom zone to the top zone, thereby bordering the slot. For example,the application zones may be curved in such a manner as to form togethera cylindrical segment in which the slot is pierced.

According to another aspect of the invention, the body includes a topwall at which the dispenser orifice opens out. In addition, thedispenser may include a substantially plane rear face which closes theopen rear face of the body, the outer wrapper covering the rear face ofthe dispenser.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, thereinforcing structure includes a head defining a front face and a rearface, the front face forming a second application zone for the outerwrapper, and the rear face being open and provided with second receptionmeans for receiving the removable closure member of the dispenser. Thehead is advantageously connected to the body by at least one bridge offoldable or breakable material, so that the head can be folded onto ordetached from the body, taking with it the removable closure member,thereby uncovering the dispenser orifice.

The head advantageously includes a bottom wall through which theremovable closure member passes. In addition, the head may include aleading end plate which covers and closes the head.

The second application zone is preferably curved in such a manner as toform a cylindrical segment. It is also preferable for the firstapplication zones and the second application zone to present identicalcurvature.

According to another aspect, each of the trailing and leading end platesforms a respective rim which projects against the application zones. Theouter wrapper can thus be held stationary on the reinforcing structureby being in blocked contact against the rims formed by the trailing andleading end plates. It is thus possible to prevent the outer wrapperfrom sliding on the reinforcing structure.

More generally, it is preferable for the application zones to be curvedin such a manner as to form a cylindrical segment on which the outerwrapper is applied, and preferably blocked.

Again in very general manner, the reinforcing structure comprises a bodyand a head, the body defining a top wall, and the head defining a bottomwall, the two walls facing each other on passing over the dispenser,substantially at the orifice and at the removable closure member. Oncethe removable closure member has been folded-back or torn-off, the twowalls enable the inside of the dispenser member to be masked, therebysignificantly contributing to its appearance by presenting only twoclosure walls, which walls are clean.

The invention is described more fully below with reference to theaccompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the invention by wayof non-limiting example.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view from above of a dispenserassembly of the invention;

FIG. 2 is another exploded, perspective view of the FIG. 1 dispenserassembly, but seen from below;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above of the dispenser assembly ofFIGS. 1 and 2 with the outer wrapper removed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outer wrapper in its final state, aspositioned on the dispenser shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal and vertical section view through the dispenserassembly of the above-listed figures in its final state; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of the dispenser assembly ofFIG. 5.

The fluid dispenser assembly of the invention comprises three componentelements, namely a fluid dispenser 1, a reinforcing structure 2, and anouter wrapper 3. The dispenser 1 is disposed in the reinforcingstructure 2, and the assembly constituted in this way is wrapped in theouter wrapper 3.

The fluid dispenser 1 can be similar or identical to the dispenserdescribed in above-mentioned document FR 2 796 368. In this case, itcomprises a shaped upper shell 10 associated with a protective sheet orfilm 19. The shell 10 and the film 19 are connected along theirperiphery so as to form a flat and plane margin 11. The margin presentsthickness that is small, not greater than 1 mm. The sheet 19 ispreferably completely flat so that the rear or bottom face of thedispenser is substantially flat. With regard to the shell 10, it forms aprojecting portion or dome 12 which inwardly defines a fluid reservoir18, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The dome 12 is elastically deformable, atleast in part, and as a result it constitutes a deformable actuator wall13 which can be pressed by a finger so as to reduce the inside volume ofthe reservoir 18, and thus put the fluid under pressure. The dome 12 isconnected to a projecting portion 14, which, together with theprotective film 19, forms a housing which receives a support ordispenser part 133 which forms a dispenser orifice 134. The support part133 can advantageously serve as a support to a piece of porous material144 that is suitable for absorbing the fluid contained in the reservoir18. The piece of porous material 144 is adjacent to the dispenserorifice 134, such that pressure on the actuator wall 13 causes the fluidcontained in the piece of porous material 144 to be expelled through thedispenser orifice 134. By way of example, the projecting portion 14which is constituted by the shell 10, can be bonded onto the dispenserpart 133. Upstream of the dispenser orifice 134, the shell 10 formsanother projection 15 which isolates the dispenser orifice 134 from theoutside. The projection 15 is situated at a dispenser portion whichforms a removable closure member 16 that is separable or foldable alonga rupture line 17, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The rupture line 17 passesjust in front of the dispenser orifice 134, such that tearing-off orfolding the closure member 16 causes the dispenser orifice 134 to beunmasked. The closure member 16 can remain connected to the remainder bybeing folded-back in this way by pivoting about the rupture line 17, orin a variant, the closure member 16 can literally be removed from thedispenser.

Such a fluid-dispenser is already known from the prior art, and inparticular from above-mentioned document FR 2 796 368. The shape inwhich the dispenser is made must not be considered as limiting, andnumerous modifications can be applied to the dispenser without therebygoing beyond the ambit of the invention. In particular, the deformableactuator wall can also be in the form of a displaceable actuator wall,and the closure member 16 can be in the form of a simple tab, or caneven be omitted. The same applies to the dispenser part 133 which issituated under the projecting portion 14, said dispenser part beingeasily omitted. The minimum requirement of a fluid dispenser used in thecontext of the present invention is that the dispenser includes a fluidreservoir provided with a displaceable or deformable actuator wall, suchthat while the wall is being actuated, fluid is expelled through adispenser orifice that may optionally be masked by a removable closuremember, which may optionally be replaceable. By way of example, it ispossible to imagine a fluid dispenser made from two flexible sheetsdefining the reservoir between them, it being possible to interpose andbond a dispenser piece forming the dispenser orifice between the twosheets.

With regard to the outer wrapper 3, it can be similar or identical tothe outer wrapper described in above-mentioned document FR 2 796 368.Here, the outer wrapper 3 shown in the figures is in the form of a caseof cylindrical but non-circular section. The wrapper 3 comprises a frontface 31, a rear face 32, and a flap 33. The flap 33 is folded onto orunder the rear face 32, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The flap 33 and therear face 32 are fixed together, e.g. by means of adhesive orheat-sealing. The outer wrapper thus forms a kind of case having a frontface 31 that is curved or bulging, and a rear face 32, 33 that issubstantially flat. This configuration in the form of a case naturallycorresponds to the final state of the outer wrapper 3 when it is inplace on the reinforcing structure 2. In its initial state, before beingmounted on the reinforcing structure 2, the outer wrapper 3 is in theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. plane with the front portion31 situated in central manner, and the portions 32 and 33 disposed oneither side of the front portion 31. The front portion 31 of the wrapper3 is bulging, or more generally curved, since it extends over the shell10 of the dispenser 1 which forms the dome 12 with its actuator wall 13.The folds 312 and 313 which are formed on the lateral edges of the frontportion 31 are designed to be situated at the lateral edges of thedispenser 1 formed by the plane margin 11. In this way, the rear portion32 and the flap 33 are substantially pressed against the protective film19, while the bulging front portion 31 covers the shell 10. The outerwrapper 3 is also provided with a cutting or rupture line 34 whichextends transversely through the three component portions of thewrapper. The line 34 thus defines a detachable portion formed by thethree portions 31, 32, and 33. The detachable portion is thus formed bythe segments 310, 320, and 330 of the three portions 31, 32, and 33.Once configured in the form of a case as shown in FIG. 3, the portions310, 320, and 330 are in the form of a loop connected to the remainderof the case by the rupture or score line 34. In the invention, the scoreline 34 is aligned with or superposed on the rupture line 17 formed bythe dispenser 1, such that removing the separable portion of the wrappercauses the closure member 16 of the dispenser 1 to be folded-back orremoved simultaneously.

The outer wrapper 3 is therefore in the form of a case having top andbottom ends that are open. With regard to the front portion 31, it formsa sequence of cylindrical segments having lateral rectilinear edges thatare connected to the rear portion, and having curved top and bottom endsthat are free and open. In the invention, the outer wrapper 3 is notwrapped directly around the dispenser 1. The dispenser 1 is received inthe reinforcing structure 2 which is wrapped in the outer wrapper 3. Thereinforcing structure 2 forms both reception means suitable forreceiving the fluid dispenser 1, and application surfaces designed tocome into contact with the outer wrapper 3. The reinforcing structure 2comprises a partially closed front face, and a substantially open rearface. The dispenser 1 can thus be inserted into the reinforcingstructure 2 via its substantially open rear face. In addition, thereinforcing structure 2 comprises two end plates, namely a trailing endplate 23, and a leading end plate 28. The trailing and leading endplates 23 and 28 close the reinforcing structure 2 at its two ends. Itshould even be observed that the end plates 23 and 28 form respectiveprojecting rims 230 and 280 which project against the adjacentapplication zones formed by the structure 2. Between the two end plateshaving projecting rims 23 and 28, the front face of the structure formsa series of application zones 211, 212, 213, and 262. All theapplication zones are bulging or curved so as to extend in a curvedplane forming a section of cylindrical segment having a radius that isidentical to the radius of the front portion 31 of the outer wrapper 3.In this way, the front portion 31 of the wrapper 3 can be appliedaccurately onto the application zones formed by the front face of thereinforcing structure 2. The application zones of the structure 2 do notform a complete section of cylindrical segment: on the contrary, thezones are interrupted by a wide slot 215 which is bordered by theapplication zones 211, 212, and 213. A flexible membrane constituted bya thinner wall can be provided at the slot 215. Furthermore, the zonescan also be interrupted by a deep groove 249 bordered by respective topand bottom walls 24 and 29. The walls 24 and 29 are connected togetherby bridges of material 205 which are designed to be folded or broken. Inthis way, the structure 2 can be folded over on itself or separated intotwo portions, thus forming a body 20 and a head 25. The body 20 formsthe application zones 211, 212, and 213, the slot 215 on its front face21, the trailing end plate 23 at its bottom end, the top wall 24 at itsopposite end, and reception means 225 on its rear face 22. The head 25forms the application zone 262 on its front face 26, the leading endplate 28 at its top end, the bottom wall 29 at its opposite end, andreception means 290, 271 on its rear face 27. On its rear face, as canbe seen in FIG. 2, the structure is substantially open and is borderedat its bottom end by the projecting rim 230 of the trailing end plate23, laterally by the lateral edges 214 formed on the outside edges ofthe lateral application zones 213, and at its top end by the projectingrim 280 of the leading end plate 28. It should also be observed thateach of the top and bottom walls 24 and 29 has a respective notch 240and 290 formed therein. In addition, ribs 225 and 271 are also providedwhich, together with the bottom edges of the walls 24 and 29, form thereception means enabling the dispenser 1 to be positioned and held inplace in the reinforcing structure 2. The dispenser 1 is positioned insuch a manner that its actuator wall 13 is situated at the slot 215, andits projecting portion 14 bears against the notch 240 of the wall 24. Inaddition, the projection 15 comes to bear against the notch 290 of thewall 29. The plane margin 11 comes to bear against the ribs 225 and 271and against the bottom end edges of the walls 24 and 29. The dispenser 1is disposed in the structure 2 so that its rupture line 17 is situatedbetween the two walls 24 and 29 which are connected together by bridgesof foldable or breakable material 205. In this way, the removableclosure member 16 of the dispenser 1 is fully received inside the head25 of the structure 2, while the body 20 receives the remainder of thedispenser 1. The lateral edges of the plane margin 11 can rest on theedges 214 of the structure 2, but the top and bottom edges of the planemargin 11 are placed inside the structure 2, bearing against thetrailing and leading end plates 23 and 28, as can be seen very clearlyin FIG. 5. In this way, the dispenser 1 is completely wedged between thetwo end plates 23 and 28. In addition, the dispenser 1 is wedgedlaterally by means of the portions 14 and 15 being engaged in thenotches 240 and 290 of the walls 24 and 29, and by means of its dome 12being disposed between the ribs 225. This can be seen in FIG. 3. Itshould easily be understood from this figure that it is possible topress on the actuator wall 13 through the slot 215, and that it ispossible to fold or remove the closure member 16 by tearing-off or byfolding-back the head 25 by bending or rupturing the bridges of material205. The closure member 16 is entrained by the head 25 as a result of itbearing on the ribs 271 with its projection 15 being inserted in thegroove 290.

Once the dispenser 1 is inserted in this way in the reinforcingstructure 2, it suffices to wrap it by means of the outer wrapper 3 thatis closed thereabout. The initially plane front portion 31 takes up theshape of the application zones 211, 212, 213, and 262 of the front faceof the reinforcing structure 2 so as to adopt the shape of a cylindricalsegment. This is also the case at the slot 215, given that it iscompletely bordered by the application zones. The front portion 31 ofthe wrapper 3 adopts this configuration in uniform manner, without beingable to tell where it is in contact with the application zones of thestructure 2. However, as a result of the application zones of thestructure 2 extending over the entire periphery of the bulging frontportion 1, it is not possible to deform the margin of the front portion31 which is completely supported by the structure 2. It is only at theslot 15 that the bulging front portion 31 can be pressed in to actuatethe wall 13 of the dispenser 1. Once the front portion is shaped in thisway on the application zones of the structure 2, it suffices to fold therear portion 32 and the flap 33 until they are in contact with theprotective sheet 19 of the dispenser 1. It then suffices to fix the rearportion 32 and the flap 33 together, e.g. by means of adhesive orheat-sealing. It should be observed that the dispenser 1 is not securedinside the structure 2 until it is wrapped in the outer wrapper 3. It isnot necessary to secure the dispenser 1 inside the structure 2, since itis finally secured by putting the outer wrapper 3 into place, therebypermanently blocking the dispenser 1 inside the structure 2. Inaddition, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the outer wrapper 3 is preventedfrom sliding over the structure 2 as a result of the top and bottom endsof the wrapper 3 coming into abutment against the projecting rims 230and 280 formed by the trailing and leading end plates 23 and 28. In thisway, the wrapper 3 is completely blocked in position on the structure 2.In addition to their blocking function, the end plates 23 and 28 enablethe bottom and the top portion of the dispenser assembly to be closed inattractive manner. The same applies for the top and bottom walls 24 and29 which enable the body 20 and the head 25 to be closed, particularlywhen the head 25 has been folded-back or removed from the body 20,thereby uncovering the dispenser orifice 134 of the dispenser 1. Inother words, the end plates 23 and 28, and the walls 24 and 29, enablethe internal elements of the dispenser assembly as formed by thedispenser 1 to be hidden. Thus, the appearance of the dispenser issignificantly improved compared to the dispenser in document FR 2 796368. In its initial state before use, the dispenser assembly is in theform shown in FIG. 6. The user sees only the outer wrapper 3, and thetrailing and leading end plates 23 and 28. The dispenser 1 is thuscompletely masked or invisible. Even when the dispenser orifice isunmasked by folding-back or removing the head 25 and the closure member16 along the score line 34 overlying the groove 249 having the ruptureline 17 of the dispenser 1 extending along its bottom, the top andbottom walls 24 and 29 still continue to mask the dispenser 1, which isvisible only at its dispenser orifice 134.

By using the reinforcing structure 2, the appearance of the dispenserassembly is significantly improved, it is easier to hold, and it can beopened more cleanly and more easily. Forming the structure 2 in the formof a body and a head separated by a deep groove 249, enables the ruptureor fold line to be located very clearly, thereby making the dispenserassembly much easier to open.

1. A fluid dispenser assembly comprising: a dispenser (1) comprising afluid reservoir (18) defining a deformable actuator wall (13), adispenser orifice (134) through which the fluid is dispensed by pressingon the deformable actuator wall, and a removable closure member (16)which covers the dispenser orifice at least before it is first used; andan outer wrapper (3) which surrounds the dispenser, the dispenser beingcharacterized in that it further comprises a substantially rigidreinforcing structure (2) provided with reception means (225, 240, 290,271) for receiving the dispenser (1), and defining application zones(211, 212, 213, 262) where the outer wrapper is in contact with thereinforcing structure in such a manner as to surround, at least in part,both the dispenser and the reinforcing structure.
 2. A dispenserassembly according to claim 1, in which the reinforcing structure (2)includes a slot (215), the actuator wall (13) of the dispenser beingpositioned at the slot, the outer wrapper (3) covering the slot (215) sothat the actuator wall (13) can be actuated through the wrapper.
 3. Adispenser assembly according to claim 2, in which the slot (215) isbordered by first application zones (211, 212, 213) for the outerwrapper.
 4. A dispenser assembly according to claim 2, in which thereinforcing structure (2) includes a body (20) defining a front face(21) and a rear face (22), the front face forming the slot (215) and thefirst application zones (211, 212, 213), and the rear face (22) beingsubstantially open and provided with first reception means (225, 240)for receiving the dispenser, such that the dispenser is engageable inthe body via its rear face, and is positioned in said body with itsactuator wall (13) accessible through the slot (215) of the body (20).5. A dispenser assembly according to claim 4, in which the body (20)includes a trailing end plate (23).
 6. A dispenser assembly according toclaim 4, in which the first application zones (211, 212, 213) of thebody (20) comprise a bottom zone (211), a top zone (212), and twolateral zones (213) connecting the bottom zone to the top zone, saidzones bordering the slot (215).
 7. A dispenser assembly according toclaim 6, in which the first application zones are curved in such amanner as to form together a cylindrical segment in which the slot (215)is pierced.
 8. A dispenser assembly according to of claim 4, in whichthe body (20) includes a top wall (24) at which the dispenser orifice(134) opens out.
 9. A dispenser assembly according to any one of claim4, in which the dispenser (1) includes a substantially plane rear face(19) which closes the open rear face (22) of the body, the outer wrapper(3) covering the rear face (19) of the dispenser.
 10. A dispenserassembly according to claim 1, in which the reinforcing structure (2)includes a head (25) defining a front face (26) and a rear face (27),the front face (26) forming a second application zone (262) for theouter wrapper, and the rear face (27) being open and provided withsecond reception means (271, 290) for receiving the removable closuremember (16) of the dispenser.
 11. A dispenser assembly according toclaim 4, in which the head (25) is connected to the body (20) by atleast one bridge of foldable or breakable material (205), so that thehead can be folded onto or detached from the body, taking with it theremovable closure member (16), thereby uncovering the dispenser orifice(134).
 12. A dispenser member according to claim 10, in which the head(25) includes a bottom wall (29) through which the removable closuremember (16) passes.
 13. A dispenser member according to any one of claim10, in which the head (25) includes a leading end plate (28) whichcovers and closes the head.
 14. A dispenser assembly according to claim10, in which the second application zone (262) is curved in such amanner as to form a cylindrical segment.
 15. A dispenser assemblyaccording to claim 7, in which the first application zones (211, 212,213) and the second application zone (262) present identical curvature.16. A dispenser assembly according to claim 5, in which each of thetrailing and leading end plates (23, 28) forms a respective rim (230,280) which projects against the application zones (211, 212, 213, 262).17. A dispenser assembly according to claim 1, in which the applicationzones (211, 212, 213, 262) are curved in such a manner as to form acylindrical segment on which the outer wrapper (3) is applied.
 18. Adispenser assembly according to claim 1, in which the reinforcingstructure (2) includes a trailing end plate (23) and a leading end plate(28) between which the outer wrapper is held.
 19. A dispenser assemblyaccording to claim 1, in which the reinforcing structure (2) comprises abody and a head, the body defining a top wall (24), and the headdefining a bottom wall (29), the two walls (24, 29) facing each otherand passing over the dispenser, substantially at the orifice (134) andat the removable closure member (16).